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1936 Canadian Dot Cent sold $248,750

The renowned Pittman-Krause 1936 Canadian Dot Cent, the most famous coin in Canadian numismatics and one of just three known to exist realized $248,750 during Heritage Auction's 10.43+ million World & Ancient Coins Signature® Auction at the Chicago International Coin Fair, April 18-23. The auction sold 92.8% by value and 90.9% by lot.

The George V 1936 Dot Cent, MS63 Red PCGS, Ex: John Jay Pittman Collection, is far and away the most famous of the three known Dot cents, having been stolen from the Pittman home in 1964 and later returned (with scratches in the right obverse field) in an envelope with other coins.

In early 1936, George V passed away and was succeeded by his son King Edward VIII. As was common practice, for the remainder of 1936 the coinage continued to have the effigy of King George V. Toward the end of the year, models were made and dies produced with the effigy of King Edward VIII, but upon Edward's abdication the dies were no longer valid and a severe shortage of Canadian 1, 10, and 25 cent pieces arose in early 1937. Because of the shortage, Canada was forced to continue producing coins dated 1936 with the portrait of King George V. Canadian authorities felt a need to distinguish this 1937 mintage from the 1936 production, and a small Dot was placed on the reverse of the 1, 10, and 25 cent coins. The Dot is below the date of the 1 cent coin, and under the bow on the wreath of the 10 and 25 cent coins. History tells us that only the 25 cent piece was placed in circulation and that three pieces of the Dot cents are the only surviving examples.

On 4 January 2010, a 1936 dot cent auctioned by Heritage Auction Galleries in New York for a record price USD$402,500. You can read about it here; Rare Canadian Penny sold in Auction.

Source: Heritage Auction.

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Australia 1st banknote for $3.5million

Australia first banknote is set to go on sale for $3.5 million by Coinworks in a private sale. The 10-shilling note issued in 1 May 1913 is the first banknote of the Commonwealth of Australia with a Serial Number M000001. The unique note will be exhibited in the Hall of Honour at the World Stamp Expo in Melbourne from May 10 to 15. The note is being sold through Coinworks in Melbourne on behalf of administrators McGrathNicol.

The note displayed the Commonwealth Coat of Arms and a scene of the Goulburn Weir, Victoria on the reverse. Built between 1887 and 1891, the Goulburn Weir was an advanced structure for its time, and an important component in Australia's irrigation scheme.

On 1st May, 1913 a numbering ceremony was held at the King's Warehouse, Victoria, when Judith Denman, the infant daughter of the Governor-General Lord Denman, numbered the first Australian currency note with the serial number M 000001. The Number One Note was hand numbered by the Governor General’s five year old daughter Judith Denman. The note was subsequently presented to her by Prime Minister Andrew Fisher. Lord Denman resigned his position as Governor General in 1914 and the family returned to England. The Honourable Anne Judith Denman died in 1987.

Her effects were being sorted in 1999 and note M000001 turned up in a letter file housed in a contemporary Government House envelope marked in pencil “Judith’s 10/- Note May 1at 1913”. The Number One Note is offered with the accompanying historical envelope.

A private collector in Sydney subsequently purchased the note for $1 million in 2000. It was then sold in 2008 to a private note dealer for almost $2 million, the highest paid for an Australian note or coin. It is believed that only about 20 of the 10-shillings notes remain in circulation.

Award winning craftsman Anton Gerner has been commissioned by Coinworks to produce a presentation box for the note. The note will be protected by glass in a frame that can easily be removed from a magnificent hand crafted Tasmanian wood presentation box.

Saturday 11 May has been declared ‘Number One Note’ Day. At 3pm on that day Australia Post will launch an official release of the ‘First Australian Banknote’ Stamp honouring the Number One Note.

Source: Coinworks

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1891 $1000 Treasury Note sells $2.5 million

A 1891 $1000 US Treasury Note has set a new record for US banknote, sold for $2,585,000.00 including 17.5% Buyer Premium in Heritage Auctions' second Platinum Night Currency auction, held in conjunction with the Central States Numismatic Society Convention, April 24-28 in Schaumburg, IL.

Fr. 379c $1000 1891 Treasury Note PCGS Extremely Fine 45PPQ.

Only two examples of this design-type are known to exist. The first is this note, whose pedigree lists most of the important names in the history of US currency collecting.

It was in the 1944 Barney Bluestone sale of the Grinnell Collection, then to Robert Friedberg, then to Amon Carter, Jr., followed by Jim Thompson, then on to Dean Oakes who sold it to Dr. Edward and Joanne Dauer (the only collectors who ever formed a complete collection of all known U.S. type notes), and finally to the Greensboro Collection.

The second existing example has a much simpler history. It has resided in the National Numismatic Collection of the Smithsonian Institution since it was transferred there by the Treasury Department.

This 1891 $1000 US Treasury Note shares its basic face design with the "Grand Watermelon", same striking vignette of General Meade, who took over as the head of the Army of the Potomac on the eve of the battle of Gettysburg.

Although the "Grand Watermelon" note with the same basic face design has always received the better "press" due to its magnetic nickname, this note is actually far rarer. There are seven "Grand Watermelons" known, three of which are in private collections. The currently offered 1891 open back is unique in private hands and one of only two in existence.

PCGS has graded this note (which has historically been referred to as CU) Extremely Fine 45PPQ...history was wrong, PCGS got it right. Some argument could be made for AU, but the note clearly has light traces of circulation and the assigned grade should be considered accurate. The important PPQ designation, (which has been placed on this note's holder) is missing from virtually all high-denomination rarities, as restorations and repairs are nearly ubiquitous on these historic artifacts. The currently offered note is totally free of any improvements...none were ever needed as the note is absolutely perfect for its grade.

As with the 1863 $100 Gold which we are also selling this evening, this is likely a once in a lifetime chance to acquire this design-type. After the hammer falls this evening, no collector will have the opportunity to own an 1891 $1000 Treasury Note until tonight's successful bidder parts with this treasure.

Source: Heritage Auction.

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‘Lost’ Nickel Sells For $3.17 Million

A coin believed to have been lost in a fatal car crash and was mistakenly declared to be a fake, sold for $3,172,500 on Thursday night, April 25, 2013, as part of Heritage Auctions' Central States Numismatic Society U.S. Coins Signature® Auction in Schaumburg, IL.

The 1913 5C Liberty, PR63 PCGS, one of just five known sold to a winning bidders, Jeff Garrett of Lexington, KY and Larry Lee of Panama City, FL, who purchased the coin in partnership.

"This particular example of one of the world's most famous rare coins is perhaps the most special of them all given its amazing story," said Todd Imhof, Executive Vice President of Heritage Auctions. "Not only is it just one of only five known, genuine 1913-dated Liberty Head design nickels, this particular one was off the radar for decades until it literally came out of the closet after a nationwide search and was authenticated by experts in a secret midnight meeting Baltimore in 2003."

This 1913 Liberty nickel was consigned by the heirs of George O. Walton, a North Carolina collector who acquired the coin in the mid-1940s for a reported $3,750. He had it with him when he was killed in a car crash on March 9, 1962.

Melva Givens of Salem, Virginia, one of Walton's heirs, eventually received the coin after being told it was suspected of being an altered date fake.

"She kept the nickel in a box with family items in the closet, and it stayed there for four decades," said Ryan Givens of Salem, Virginia, one of Walton's nephews who consigned the 1913 Liberty Head nickel to Heritage with his two sisters and his brother.

According to the family, Melva Givens believed the 1962 evaluation that it was an altered date coin, but she also adamantly believed her brother had a real 1913 Liberty Head nickel and continued to look for it. She kept the "fake" coin, likely out of sentiment for her late brother and likely because of the date on the coin, 1913, her birth year.

A minimum $1 million reward for the accounted for fifth 1913 Liberty Head nickel prompted Walton's heirs to take the coin to Baltimore in July 2003 to the American Numismatic Association World's Fair of Money. The four other surviving 1913 Liberty nickels were scheduled to be exhibited at the convention. In a secret midnight meeting in a security room at the Baltimore Convention Center, a team of rare coin experts unanimously agreed the Walton nickel was the long-missing fifth coin.

"This is one of the greatest coins at that price range," said Garrett after placing the successful bid.

The winning bid of $3,172,500 includes the 17.5% percent buyer's premium and represents the total price paid by the winning bidder.

The 1913 Liberty Head nickel was one of the highlights of a $40+ million auction of rare coins and historic paper money offered by Heritage Auctions, April 24 - 28, 2013, in conjunction with the Central States Numismatic Society (CSNS.com) convention in the Schaumburg Convention Center, April 24-27.

Source: Heritage Auction

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Malaysia Fancy Number Banknote

I am not a fan of Malaysia Fancy Number Banknote but many of my Malaysian friends collect them. In Malay, they called it as "wang kertas nombor siri cantik" or “Special Serial Numbered Currency”.

Some banknote collectors are specialize in collecting banknotes with unusual or fancy serial numbers. Most of my friends start their fancy banknote collection from notes that they find in circulation. Buying a notes like this sometime can be very expensive and it is not easy to sell them next time.

If you're newbies in fancy notes collecting, make sure you study the price of the notes very well. The banknote condition also play a role to determine the banknote price. Buy only Uncirculated banknotes to make sure a high Return of Investment in the future. Here are some list for newbies to understand, what kind of fancy numbers they should be looking for.

Solid

AA8888888, AA7777777 or AA1111111 is a solid numbers, its happen when all the serial number are the same. This is the most sought after fancy category and most of the time are very rare to find people want to sell their solid number collection. Near solid number is when one number is different from the other numbers, for example, AA8888188.

Solid Number "8" get the high demand because Chinese all over this world consider 8 as a lucky number. Solid number "0" most of the time is for a specimen banknotes.

Low Serial

Normally, a serial number under 100 (AA0000100), is a little bit hard to get. Unless you have a connection with Bank Negara Malaysia. The lowest serial number for the first prefix (AA0000001) most of the time is given to Malaysia Sultan or Agong as a gift.

High Serial

Another fancy serial that you should be looking for is the High serial numbers for example AA10000000 or AA9999900 and 100 number above.

Ladder

Another rare and sought after numbers is a ladder, serial number with ascending or descending digits, for example AA1234567 or AA7654321. Some people also collect partial ladder banknote, for example AA0234567, AA3123456 or AA0765432.

Binary

AA0000099 can also be categorize as Binary, a notes with two unique digits. Other Binary Numbers example are AA9919199, AA5535535, AA4555544.

TrinaryA trinary number notes is when the banknote contain 3 unique digits, for example AA3355544, AA1122331 or AA0322023.

Radar

Radar number is when the serial number are the same forward or backward, For example AA0322032, AA1232321 or AA3351533.

Repeater

This happen when a sequence of numbers repeat itself in the prefix, for example AA1212121, AA6767676 or AA5050505.

Radar Repeater

A radar repeater is both a radar and a repeater, for example AA1008001, AA6007006 or AA5050505.

Bookends

The serial numbers have the same sequence of digits at both ends. For example AA2084520, "20" is the sequence of digits appearing at both the beginning and end of the serial number.

Birthday

You can also find someone birthday to keep it in your fancy number collection. For example, our Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib birth is 23 July 1953, you can try find notes with prefix AA2371925. It will be easy to find buyer if you can find a birthday number banknote related to celebrity.

Most of the time, collectors are looking for solid numbers and Ladder. You can buy KN Boon book; KN Boon 6th Edition Book as a guide for Malaysia solid serial numbers banknotes.

I am not a collector of fancy number banknote, please correct me if I had done some mistake in this article.

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World's fastest coin stacker

Today lets talk about something different from coin collecting. For the past few days, I had been searching for world's record about coins that I think could be broken by a Malaysian. One of them are "World's fastest coin stacker" at the official Guinness World Records website.

How many coins can you stack into a tower in 30 seconds? The officially recognised record for most coins stacked into a tower in 30 seconds is 51, achieved by Stephen Kish (UK) in Southsea, Portsmouth, UK, on 18 September 2012.

I think Malaysia coins are suitable for this record attempt because our 50 sen coins have a diameter of 27.76mm, one of the largest coins in circulation. It will be easy for Malaysian to stack a coins into a tower using Malaysia 50 sen coins, I think. Easy said then doing it yourself. I have tried several times today but stacking 50 pieces coins into a tower is not an easy task. You need a steady large hand and a flat surface that doesn't move. I only manage to get 32 coins average for 30 seconds. You can watch my video here:

CHALLENGE RULES:

Any currency of coins may be used for this attempt, providing each coin has a maximum diameter of 30mm, and a maximum thickness of 3mm
At the start of the attempt, the challengers hand must be flat on the table, with the coins flat and separated on the stacking surface.
Coins are to be stacked, one at a time, using one hand only. The other hand must remain behind the back for the duration of the attempt.
Water, glue, and other adhesives or aids may not be used to help stabilise the tower.
The tower must remain standing for 5 seconds once the 30 second period is over for the attempt to be valid.

Maybe some of you out there want to try to join the challenge. You can visit Guinness World record website to register and upload your video; Most coins stacked into a tower in 30 seconds.

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Numismatic Society (Asia) Auction 1 / 2013 (closed)

Yesterday (20 April 2013), The Numismatic Society (Asia) Coins & Banknotes Auction 1/2013 held at Landmark Room, Level 6, Landmark Village Hotel, Singapore have been completed. Even though yesterday is nomination day for Malaysia 13 General Election (GE13), Many of our collector friends across the Johor causeway to attend this Auction. Some of Malaysia coins and banknotes are sold at a lower price then Malaysia Market if you taking into account that they are graded by NGC or PCGS. No one bid for Sarawak Emergency Issue 1919 10 cent that I share in my earlier post about Numismatic Society (Asia) Auction.

Here are some of the highlight of the auction:

Malaysia, $100 1972-1976. M37-AZ/1 006676. GEF. Estimate Price SGD720 - SGD900. Sold For SGD1,400.

Malaysia $2, 1996 sign by Tan Sri Dato Ahmad Mohd. Don. No. BD 0000001 to BD 0000010. PCGS PPQ, 1pc 63, 3pcs 66, 6pcs 67. total 10 pcs. Estimate Price SGD1,100 - SGD2,000. Sold For SGD2,600.

Straits Settlements 1929, $10 Banknote D/56 16357 Graded Good Very Fine. Estimate Price SGD5,000 - SGD8,000. Sold For SGD5,000.

Straits Settlements 1925, $5 Banknote D/72 56727 AEF. Estimate Price SGD4,000 - SGD5,000. Sold For SGD4,000.

1st Series Malaysia Proof coins set of 5, 1967 Official Proof Set, NGC graded 1c (PF64RB); 5c (PF64 Ultra Cameo); 10c (PF64UC); 20c (PF64UC); 50c (PF63UC). 5pcs. Mintage 500 sets. Wong Hon Sum Collection. Estimate Price SGD1,000 - SGD2,000. Sold For SGD2,200.

Malaysia, 1967 C-N 50c w/o security (milled) edge NGC Au53. Estimate Price SGD400 - SGD500. Sold For SGD550.

Malaysia, 1968, C-N 50c, No security (milled) edge, NGC UNC details hairlines. Wong Hon Sum Collection. Estimate Price SGD1,000 - SGD1,500. Sold For SGD1,200.

Malaysia, 1969 C-N 50c, Security Edge, NGC MS62. Estimate Price SGD200 - SGD300. Sold For SGD420.

Malaysia, 1971 C-N 10c, NGC MS64. Estimate Price SGD120 - SGD200. Sold For SGD240.

A Buyer's premium of 15% will be added to hammer price for each lot to all succesful bids. Lots sold though "liveauctioneers.com" are subjected to an additional 3% Buyer's Premium (18% in total). All Shipping, handling and insurance charges will be paid by Buyer.

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History & complete list of £1 coin

This Sunday (21st April, 2013) the £1 coin will celebrates its 30th anniversary. The coin was first issued on 21 April 1983, during the year that Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher entered her third term of office. Reportedly, the £1 coin was disliked by the late Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

After consultation with many groups including retailers and special interest groups, the Government announced on 31 July 1981 that a new £1 coin that was to be issued on 21 April 1983. To make it easy to identify, the £1 coin is thicker than other coins while the 'yellow' colour allowed it to stand out from the cupro-nickel 'silver' coins already in circulation. The weight of the coin was decided largely on the grounds of cost and the need to allow for higher denomination coins in due course.The reverse designs of the £1 coin represent the UK and its four constituent parts – Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England – and the first series of designs took floral emblems as its theme.

The £1 has undergone many changes during its reign, featuring three portraits of The Queen, and twenty one different reverse designs reflecting themes relating to the emblems, iconic landmarks and cities that contribute to the ‘greatness’ of Great Britain.

The United Kingdom £1 Coin
Issue Date:21 April 1983
Technical Specifications:
Diameter: 22.5mm
Weight: 9.5 g
Thickness: 3.15mm
Composition: Nickel-Brass (70% copper, 5.5% nickel, 24.5% zinc)
Obverse Designers: Portrait of Her Majesty the Queen
1983-1984 Arnold Machin
1985- 1997 Raphael Maklouf
1998 to date Ian Rank-Broadley
Edge: Milled

£1 Coins Reverse Design History

Year of issue:1983,1993,1998,2003,2008

Edge Inscription:DECUS ET TUTAMEN

Year of issue:1984, 1989

Edge Inscription: NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSIT

Year of issue:1985, 1990

Edge Inscription: PLEIDIOL WYF I'M GWLAD

Year of issue: 1986,1991

Edge Inscription: DECUS ET TUTAMEN

Year of issue: 1987, 1992

Edge Inscription: DECUS ET TUTAMEN

Year of issue: 1988

Edge Inscription: DECUS ET TUTAMEN

Year of issue: 1994, 1999

Edge Inscription: NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSIT

Year of issue: 1995, 2000

Edge Inscription: PLEIDIOL WYF I'M GWLAD

Year of issue: 1996,2001

Edge Inscription: DECUS ET TUTAMEN

Year of issue: 1997, 2002

Edge Inscription: DECUS ET TUTAMEN

Year of issue: 2004

Edge Detail: Decorative pattern symbolising bridges and pathways

Year of issue: 2005

Edge Detail: Decorative pattern symbolising bridges and pathways

Year of issue: 2006

Edge Detail: Decorative pattern symbolising bridges and pathways

Year of issue: 2007

Edge Detail: Decorative pattern symbolising bridges and pathways

Year of issue: 2008-2012

Edge Inscription: DECUS ET TUTAMEN

Year of issue: 2010

Edge Inscription: PRO TANTO QUID RETRIBUAMUS

Year of issue: 2010

Edge Inscription: DOMINE DIRIGE NOS

Year of issue: 2011

Edge Inscription: Y DDRAIG GOCH DDYRY CYCHWYN

Year of issue: 2011

Edge Inscription: NISI DOMINUS FRUSTRA

Year of issue: 2013

Edge Inscription: DECUS ET TUTAMEN

Year of issue: 2013

Edge Inscription: PLEIDIOL WYF I’M GWLAD

Coin Edge Inscriptions

DECUS ET TUTAMEN='An ornament and a safeguard' from Virgil's Aeneid

NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSIT='No one provokes me with impunity'. The Motto of the Order of the Thistle

PLEIDIOL WYF I'M GWLAD='True am I to my country' from the Welsh National Anthem

PRO TANTO QUID RETRIBUAMUS='What shall we give in return for so much.' The Motto of Belfast

DOMINE DIRIGE NOS='Lord direct us.' The Motto of London

Y DDRAIG GOCH DDYRY CYCHWYN=‘The Red Dragon shall lead’ The Motto of Cardiff

NISI DOMINUS FRUSTRA=‘It is vain without the Lord’ The Motto of Edinburgh

A report by Royal Mint said with every 100 pieces £1 coin, you can find 3 pieces fake coins. You can learn how to identify fake coins in this article http://lunaticg.blogspot.com/2012/04/how-to-spot-fake-1-coin.html

Source: www.royalmint.com

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